Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival with his film “It Was Just an Accident”, a furious but funny revenge thriller that takes aim at oppressive regimes. Panahi, who has been put in prison and banned from filmmaking in his home country, spoke out against the restrictions of the regime, urging fellow Iranians to join forces for freedom.
Panahi’s win comes after a 15-year absence from international festivals due to a long travel ban. His film was shot in secret and based on his own experiences in prison. The movie tells the tale of five ordinary Iranians who are confronted with a man they believed tortured them in jail, inspired by conversations he had with other prisoners.
The Palme d’Or win marks Panahi’s completion of the rare feat of winning top prizes from Cannes, Berlin, and Venice film festivals. He has vowed to return to Tehran after the festival despite the risks of prosecution. The award ceremony took place despite a power cut, and Panahi may now be in line for recognition in Hollywood.
Panahi’s win is seen as a significant moment for Iranian cinema, but it is unlikely that his film will be nominated for an Oscar due to its ban in Iran.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm26v9dp9j1o